Foundation garment



Sept. 6, 1966 c. cuozzl FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed June l1, 1964 FIG!INVENTOR Co oeh C ozzi ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,270,747FOUNDATION GARMENT Concetta Cuozzi, 443 Granite Springs Road, YorktownHeights, N.Y.

Filed June 11, 1964, Ser. No. 374,305 6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-528) Thepresent invention pertains to foundation garments, such as girdles,panty gir-dles, and the like, particularly adapted to be worn by thefemale species.

More particularly, this invention relates to foundation garments, suchas girdles, panty girdles, and the like, comprising a plurality ofpanels that are so constructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as tobe positioned in a substantially stationary overlying relationship withrespect to certain port-ions of the female torso, such as the waist,hips, thighs and derriere, in which relationship said panels areparticularly adapted to develop figure controlling pressures,particularly with respect to that one of the aforesaid portions known asthe derriere, irrespective of the position of the torso, and even duringand subsequent to a changing of its attitude, as when a sitting orbending position is assumed enabling the presentation of a foundationgarment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodates changingattitudes of the fe-male torso, while yet maintaining proper ligurecontrolling pressures, `particularly with respect to the aforesaidderriere, while, :at the same time, precluding the introduction ofbinding and other uncomfortable pressures, merely because the attitudeof the torso changes.

There is presently available a relative plethora of foundation garments,such as girdles, panty girdles, and the like. In providing such agarment a basic concern is to present the proper figure controllingpressures, while, at the same time, maintaining as much comfort as ispossible.

A unique problem occurs when the attitude of the torso changes, as wellas when it returns to its original position. For example, it has beenfound that when the attitude changes from a standing to a bendingposition, heretofore suggested garments move with respect to thoseportions of the torso they are particularly adapted to overlie. However,when the torso is returned to its original attitude, it has been foundthat these garments do not move with respect thereto in the same amount,or to the same degree, as they jdid when the position of the torso firstchanged from its original attitude. Accordingly, presently availablegarments have been found to bunchup, particularly with respect to thoseportions of the torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, andespecially with respect to the latter. As a result, binding pressuresact against the aforesaid portions of the torso, with attending extremediscomfort, and even pain.

Accordingly, having in mind each and every one of the aforesaiddisadvantages, and others that will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide afoundation garment, such as a girdle, panty girdle, and the like,comprising a plurality of panels that are so constructed, contoured,disposed and arranged as to be positioned in a substantially stationaryoverlying relationship with respect to certain portions of the femaletorso, such as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, in which-relationship said panels are particularly adapted to develop gurecontrolling pressures, particularly with respect to the latter of theaforesaid portions, irrespective of the position of the torso, and evenduring and subsequent to changing of its attitude, as when a sitting ora bending position is assumed, enabling the presentation of a foundationgarment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodates changingattitudes of the female torso, while yet maintaining proper ligurecontrolling pressures, particularly with respect to 3,270,747 PatentedSept. 6, 1966 ice the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, at thesame time, precluding the introduction of binding and otheruncomfortable pressure, merely because the attitude of the torsochanges.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide afoundation garment, such as -a girdle, panty girdle, and the like,comprising a plurality of panels, each` of which is distendable in atleast one of a plurality of directions, said panels being soconstructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as to be relativelymovable with respect to one another when the garment is ldisposed inoverlying relationship with respect to those portions of the femaletorso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, and particularlywhen said panels are disposed in that relationship with respect to thelatter of the aforesaid portions, in which relationship the aforesaidpanels are particularly adapted to remain substantially stationaryparticularly with -respect to said derriere, enabling said garment todevelop figure controlling pressures, particularly with respect thereto,irrespective of the position of the torso, and even during andsubsequent to a changing of its attitude, as when a sitting or a bendingposition is assumed, and further enabling the presentation of afoundation garment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodateslchanging attitudes of the female torso, while yet maintaining properfigure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to that one ofsaid portions known as the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, atthe same time, precluding the introduction of binding and otheruncomfortable pressures, merely because the attitude of the torsochanges.

Yet `another primary object of this invention is to provide a foundationgarment, such as a girdle, panty girdle, and the like, comprising -aplurality of panels that are distendable in at least one fof a pluralityof directions, and are so constructed, contoured and arranged as to bedisposed in an overlapping relatively movable relationship with respectto one another when the garment encompasses the female torso andparticularly those portions thereof known as the waist, hips, thighs andderriere, in which relationship said panels are particularly adapted todevelop gure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to thelatter of the aforesaid portions, irrespective of the position of thetorso, and even during and subsequent to changing of its attitude, aswhen a sitting or a bending position is assumed, enabling thepresentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid type that readilyacoommodates changing attitudes of the female torso, while yetmaintaining proper ligure controlling pressures, particularly withrespect to the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, at the sametime, precluding the introduction of binding and other uncomfortablepressures, merely because the attitude of the torso changes.

Furthermore, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like,particularly adapted to encompass those portions of the female torsoknown as the waist, hips, thighs and dierriere, said garment comprisinga plurality of distendable panels disposed in overlapping relativelymovable relationship with respect to one another, each of said panelsbeing disposed in .at least partially overlapping relationship withrespect to said derriere, and support assemblies structurallyoperatively associated with one of said panels and disposed -generallyinteriorly of another of said panels for supporting such articles ofwearing apparel as hosiery with respect to said said portions of thetorso, and particularly with respect to said derriere, further enablingthe presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid ty-pe capableof developing of figure controlling pressures, while yet readilyaccommodating changing attitudes of the torso, as when a sitting lorbending position is assumed, in such a manner as to enable Iunimpededwalking or striding without riding vertically relative to said torso,without wrinkling across that portion thereof known las the waist, and,particularly at the rear thereof, or binding across the girth of thethighs, especially at and adjacent that portion vof the torso known asthe derriere.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will beapparent from a study of the specification following, taken with thedrawings which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose apreferred ernbodirnent or modification of the invention and what is nowconsidered to be the best mode yof practicing the principles thereof.Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having thebenefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments ormodifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall Withinthe scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View of a foundation garment constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation-al view of the garment shown in FIG. 1,partially broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a `cross-sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2,the -garment being distended to show certain details of constructions.

With reference now to the drawings, a foundation garment, constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention, and generallydesignated by the ref-erence character 10, is illustrated therein. Itwill be understood at the outset that, while the garment illustrated inthe drawing takes the form of a p-anty girdle, the principles of thepresent invention are equally applicable to all other foundationgarments Iof a similar type, such as girdles, long-line brassieres, andthe like.

The garment 10 comprises a plurality of body or torsoencircling panels12 and 14, each of which is so constructed, contoured, disposed andarranged as to sub stantially completely encompass that portion of thefemale torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere. To this end,the panels may be fabricated of any suitable rn-aterial that isdistendable in each of a plurality of directions, as indicated by thearrows in the drawing, and extends generally vertically downwardly froma waistencircling band 16 to a plurality `of leg-encircling bands 18.The bands 16 and 18 male be fabricated of any suitable material, andpreferably of a material that is distendable at least generallylongitudinally thereof, that is along the bands in a direction aboutthose portions of the torso they encompass, enabling the bands todevelop more than adequate figure controlling pressures therefor.

The panels 12 and 14 are particularly adapted to be structurallyoperatively associated with one another generally frontally 'of thegarment 10 in -any suitable manner, as by stitching 20. The stitching20, which defines a seam, extends generally vertically downwardly fromthe waist band 16, to a location generally media-ily of the longitudinaldimensional extent or height thereof. A panel 22 is particularly adaptedto be dispos-ed generally frontally and centrally of the garment 10, andstructurally operatively associated with the panels 12 and 14, as bymeans of stitching 24, and in overlying relationship with respectthereto. This panel may be of any suitable configuration or contour, andmay be fabricated of any suitable material that is non-distendable. Forexample, the panel 22 may be fabricated, -at least in part, of lace, sothat, when considered with its contour, the garment 1f) presents a veryaesthetic appearance. This is particularly true since a substantialportion :of the longitudinal dimensional extent of the seam 20 at thefront of the garment is hidden from view.

It will now be understood that the panel 22, in conjunction with thoseportions of the panels 12 and 14 disposed in underlying relationshipwith respect thereto, comprise a control assembly for that portion ofthe female torso known a-s the abdomen. This assembly will present theproper figure controlling pressures for the aforesaid portion, enablingthe torso to present ideal geometries, especially since the panels 12and 14 are distendable in each of a plurality of directions.

With particular reference now to FIG. 2, each of the panels are socontoured as to define a curvilinear edge 26 that is particularlyadapted to be disposed generally rearwardly of the garment. Moreparticularly, the contour of this edge is chosen so as to correspondgenerally with the peripheral contour of that portion of the femaletorso known as the derriere, at a location substantially adjacent to thepor-tion known as the thighs. The curvilinear edges 126 extend from thewaist-encircling band 16 to the seam 20, the latter extending fromgenera-lly frontally of the garment to generally rearwardly thereof, andthus defining a crotch or crotch portion 28. It will now be seen thatbecause the length of the seam 20 is less than the length of thegarment, the panels 12 and 14 define portions particularly adapted toencompass those portions of the torso known as the waist and hips, aswell as those portions known as the thighs.

The garment 10 comprises, further, a plurality of support panels 30 and32, which panels may be fabricated of any suitable material that isdistendable in each of a Iplurality of directions, as indicated by thearrows in FIG. 2. These supporting panels are particularly adapted to bedisposed in a substantially complete overlapping relationship withrespect to the derriere. Accordingly, the panels 30 and 32 arestructurally operatively associate-d with one another by stitching 34that extends substantially vertically of the garment, generallyrearwardly thereof, from a location at or adjacent to the end of thestitching or seam 20, that is, where the ends of the curvilinear edges26 meet, to the waist band 116.

Since the panels 30 and 32 are particularly adapted to be disposed inthe aforesaid relationship with respect to the derriere, thelongitudinal dimensional extent or height of each of them is chosen soIas to extend generally vertically downwardly from the waist band 16,t-o a location at which they will be disposed in underlying relationshipwith respect to those portions of the panels 12 and 14 particularlyadapted to encompass the thighs. At that location, each of the panels 30and 32 is so contoured as to define an apex 36, the purpose of whichwill be described more fully hereinafter.

More particularly, each of the panels 30 and 32 is defined by a firstcurvilinear edge 38, of substantially concave contour. The edges 38 eachexten-d from one apex 36 t-o the other, over the crotch portion 28 ofthe garment. It will now be understood that the degree of curvature ofthe edges 38 depends upon whether or not the garment 10 is a panty-typeof foundation garment, or a slip-on type that does not present portionsfor encompassing the thighs. In this latter instance, the aforesaiddegree of curvature can be less than that illustrated, bu-t is still tobe chosen so that apices 36 are presented. In addition, each of thepanels is defined by another or second curvilinear edge 40 extendingfrom the apex 36, about the sides of the garment, and to the waist band16. The c-ontour of this edge is chosen so that at least a portion 42thereof extends to and is disposed generally frontally of the garment.Finally, these panels are `defined by an edge 44 extending along aportion of the waist band 16, which edge is of correspondingcon-figuration with respect thereto.

It will now be understood that the panels G0 and 32 are disposedgenerally interiorly of the panels 12 and 14, respectively, at leastwith respect to that portion of each of the former comprising theportion of the garment that encompasses the thighs. To the `extent thatthe panels 12, `14, 30 and 32 are disposed in this relationship, it willnow be understood that they are lrelatively movable with respect t-o oneanother, at least in a generally vertica-lly extending direction.

The panels -12 and 30, and the panels .'14 and 32, are `structurallyoperatively ass-ociated with or connected to one another along thatportion of the edges 40 disposed generally frontally of the garment,namely, along the portions 42. In addition, the panels l12 and 30, andthe panels 14 and 32, are particularly adapted to be structurallyoperatively associated with or connected to one another along a portion46 of the edges 26. Since the edges 26 are `disposed completelygenerally rearwardly -of the garment, the ,portions 46 thereof will besimilarly disposed. There is accordingly defined a plurality of figurecont-rolling assemblies 48 comprising that portion of each of the panels12 and 30, and 14 and 32, disposed or extending between the portions 42and 46 -of each of the edges 40 and 26, respectively. 'The :assemblies48, in turn, comprise .a plurality lof layers -or plies of distendablematerial, enabling them to more than adequately perform the function -ofdeveloping figure controlling pressures at the hips.

As hereinbefore pointed out, each of the panels 30 and 32 isparticularly adapted to be 'disposed in overlapping relationship withrespect to that portion of the female t-orso 'known as the derriere. Thesame is partially true with respect to those portions -of the panels y12and 14 disposed generally rearwardly of the garment. In addition, thepanels 30 and 32 are particularly adapted to enable the garment y1t) tosupport lsuch articles of Wearing apparel as hosiery vupon Vand withrespect to the legs of the torso. To this end, a support assembly 50, ofany suitable construction, is structurally operatively associated witheach of the panels 30 and 32, particularly at the apices 36 thereof.Similar lsupport assemblies are particularly adapted to be structurallyoperatively associated with the panels 12 and 14 generally frontallythereof, and, to that end, these panels are provided with supportelements 52.

The particular location of the support assemblies S0, especially at therear of the garment, is of extreme significance. Firstly, since thepanels 30` and 32 a-re of such longitudinal dimensional extent or lengthas to overlie substantially all of the derriere, the support assemblieswill be disposed at the thighs. Additionally, the particular contour ofthe panels 30 and 32 is such as to present the apices or points 36.Accordingly, any hoisery will transmit tensile forces to the supportassemblies 50 as the attitude of the torso changes. Since the assembliesare positioned at an apex or point, the forces, transmitted thereto willtend to dissipate as they extend upwardly toward the body or mainportion of the panels. This is particularly true since these panels aredistendable in each of a plurality of directions, and will distend in:response to such forces as are transmitted thereto. Any Wrinkling ofthe panels 30 and 32 at the body or main portion thereof will thereforebe precluded, eliminating the application of binding forces to thetorso.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the transmitting of tensileforces to the panels 30 and 32 at the apices 36 thereof will tend tomaintain these panels relatively stationary with respect to the torso,and particularly the derriere, when its attitude changes. For example,when the torso assumes a bending position, the panels will distend dueto the tensile forces applied to the apices 36 by means of theassemblies 50. The amount that the panels distend will be proportionateto the increased dimension of the torso at the rear thereof so that, ineffect, the panels will remain in an overlying relationship with respectto substantially the same area. When the torso returns to its originalposition, so too will the panels 30 and 32, especially in view of thedistendability thereof, and the decreased tensile forces transmittedthereto.

It will now be understood that, since the support assemblies 50 arepositioned at points, as opposed to being positioned along a linearedge, there will be no bunching7 or curling of the garment 10 when thetorso assumes its original position, and, thus, there will be no bindingof the torso particularly at the rear thereof just below the derriere.Moreover, since these panels remain relatively stationary with respecttothe torso, the proper figure controlling pressures will be developedregardless of the attitude thereof, so that substantially idealgeometries will be presented at all times.

Still further, it will be understood that, whereas the panels 30 and 32tend to develop the proper figure controlling pressures with respect toa portion of the waist, the hips and the derriere, the panels 12 and 14will perform the same function with respect to the remaining portions ofthe torso particularly adapted to be encompassed by the garment. Thisisparticularly true with respect to the remaining portion of the waist,the hips, thighs and the peripheral portion of the derriere. And, withrespect to the latter portion of the torso, this function will more thanadequately be performed, since the contour of the panels 12 and 14rearwardly thereof ,corresponds `generally with respect thereto.Additionally, because the panelsr 12 and 14, which are also distendablein each of a plurality of directions, are disposed in overlappingrelationship with respect to the panels 30 and 32, they too tend toremain relatively stationary with respect to those portions of the torsothey encompass, especially since tensile forces transmitted to thesupport assemblies 50 are, in turn, transmitted generally only to t-hepanels 30 and 32. Thus, again assuming a bending attitude of the torso,it will be realized that the dimension thereof from the Waist to theperiphery of the derriere will increase to a greater extent than fromthe aforesaid periphery to a location along the thighs at the bands 18.The panels 30 and 32 will readily accommodate the former increaseddimension, while the panels 12 and 14 readily and independentlyaccommodate the latter increased dirnension. This is especially truebecause the panels are relatively movable with respect to one another.The important concept, therefore, is the provision of relatively movablepanels for accommodating different variations in the dimension of thetorso as the attitude thereof changes, rather than a single panel forperforming the same function. Accordingly, it will be understood thatany tendency on the part of one portion of the garment 10 to bunch upwith respect to other portions of the garment has been eliminated, ashas resulting binding and other uncomfortable forces and pressures.Additionally, it should be noted that the support assemblies arepositioned interiorly of the garment, particularly at the rear thereofwhere they are disposed in underlying relationship with respect to thepanels 12 and 14. Thus, any unsightly bulge is substantially, if notcompletely, eliminated.

While certain relative terminology such as verticaL downwardly, and thelike, has been used in the foregoing description, it is to be understoodthat its use is intended only to facilitate an understanding of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the use of such terminology in theensuing claims is to be construed in its normal and accepted sense, andis not in any way to be considered limiting.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosedin terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated,described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intendedto be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claimshere appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A foundation garment, suc-h as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like,comprising in combination a torso-encircling panel for encompassing thatportion of the female torso known as the hips, and at least a portion ofthe Waist and the thighs, said torso-encircling panel extending to therear of the garment, and being of such dimensions thereat to enable saidpanel to encompass at least ya portion of that part of the torso knownas the derriere; the dimensions of salid torso-encircling pane-l beingdefined at least in part by an edge disposed at the rear of the garment;said edge being of curvilinear condiguration, .and correspondinggenerally with the contour of said derriere; a supporting panel disposedrearwardly of the garment to encompass a substantial portion of saidderriere; said torso-encircling panel 'and said supporting panel rbeingpositioned in overlapping relationship with respect to one ano-ther, andsaid supporting panel being connected to said torso-encircling panel atleast along only a portion of said edge, enabling said panels to berelatively movable with respect to one another; and support assembliesconnected to said supporting panel for transmitting tensile forcessubstantially `only thereto.

2. A foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wherein saidtorso-encircling panel comprises .a crotch portion disposed generallyfrontally of said garment; and wherein there is provided a plurality ofsupporting panels each comprising a first curvilinear edge extending tosaid crotch portion, and a second curvilinear edge extending about thesides of said torso-encircling panel and generally yfronta-lly thereof;the contour of each of said first and second curvilinear edges be-ingsuch as to -deiine apices disposed generally rearwardly of saidtorso-encircling panel and generally interiorly thereof; said supportingassemblies `being yconnected to said supporting panels at said apices.

3. A foundation garment Ias defined in claim 2, wherein said supportingpanels, in addition to being connected to said torso-encircling panelsubstantially .only along a portion of the curvilinear edge thereof,being connected to said torso-encircling panel along at least a portionof said second curvilinear edge; that portion of each supporting paneland said torso-encircling panel disposed between the aforesaid portionsof said curvilinear edges along which they are connected to one anotherdefining control assemblies for encompassing that portion of the femaletorso known as the hips, and at least a portion there-of known as thewaist, enabling said control assemblies to develop the proper figurecontrolling pressures with respect thereto.

4. A foundation garment as dened in claim 3,

wherein:

-said control assemblies each comprise:

a portion of each of said supporting panels and said torso-encirclingpanels.

5. A foundation garment as defined in claim 4, whereeach of said supportpanels and said torso-encircling panel are fabricated of a material thatis distensible in each of a plurality of directions.

`6. A foundation garment as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

a panel fabricated of nondistensible material is connected to saidtorso-encircling panel generally frontally thereof;

said non-distensible panel and that portion of said torso-enrichingpanel connected thereto dening a control assembly particularly `adaptedto encompass that portion of the female torso known as the abdomen.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,771 3/1959Bell 12S-546 42,973,765 3/ L96 1 Diebold 12S-5 41 2,980,114 4/ 1961Montoya 128--523 3,011,496 i12/ 19611 Cousins 12S-5 44 3,095,881 7/1963Marino 128-552 3,131,698 5/1964 Morano 128-523 ADELE M. EAGER, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A FOUNDATION GARMENT, SUCH AS A GIRDLE, PANTY-GIRDLE, AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL FOR ENCOMPASSING THAT PORTION OF THE FEMALE TORSO KNOWN AS THE HIPS, AND AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE WAIST AND THE THIGHS, SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL EXTENDING THE REAR OF THE GARMENT, AND BEING OF SUCH DIMENSIONS THEREAT TO ENABLE SAID PANEL TO ENCOMPASS AT LEAST A PORTION OF THAT PART OF THE TORSO KNOWN AS THE DERRIERE; THE DIMENSIONS OF SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL BEING DEFINED AT LEAST IN PART BY AN EDGE DISPOSED AT THE REAR OF THE GARMENT; AND EDGE BEING OF CURVILINEAR CONFIGURATION, AND CORRESPONDING GENERALLY WITH THE CONTOUR OF SAID DERRIERE; A SUPPORTING PANEL DISPOSED WITH THE CONTOUR OF SAID GARMENT TO ENCOMPASS A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID DERRIERE; SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL AND SAID SUPPORTING PANEL BEING POSITIONED IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER, AND SAID SUPPORTING PANEL BEING CONNECTED TO SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL AT LEAST ALONG ONLY A PORTION OF SAID EDGE, ENABLING SAID PANELS TO BE RELATIVELY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER; AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORTING PANEL FOR TRANSMITTING TENSILE FORCES SUBSTANTIALLY ONLY THERETO. 